Cheney backs bill to put oil, gas development in state hands

Published 11:05 am, Monday, September 11, 2017

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney is co-sponsoring a proposed bill that would hand more control of oil and gas development on federal lands to the states.

The Republican says the bill represents a better approach to regulations on the ground.

The Casper Star-Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/2wkq6Cb ) that the proposal would allow states to prove they have the enforcement muscle and regulatory infrastructure to oversee oil and gas permitting, leasing and production on available federal land. The bill's proponents say states have faced a decline in leasing on federal land in recent years under the Obama administration.

The majority of oil and gas development in Wyoming takes place on federal land, or involves federal minerals.

Environmental groups oppose the bill, saying it would give energy companies too much control over public land use.